Bill bans cops placing tracking devices in cars without warrant

SALT LAKE CITY — Police would no longer be able to place GPS tracking devices in vehicles without a warrant under legislation a Senate committee approved Wednesday.

SB236 strikes a section in Utah law that allows the practice, which would bring the state in line with a recent U.S. Supreme Court ruling. The Utah Attorney General’s Office and the ACLU of Utah support the bill.

Eliminating the section would leave law enforcement no other option but to obtain a warrant, said bill sponsor Sen. Todd Weiler, R-Woods Cross.